A fundraiser to benefit Mikey Nichols, a high school ice hockey player who suffered a spinal cord injury in January, grossed more than $12,000 for the foundation supporting his recovery.
Gasko’s Family Farm and Greenhouses, Monroe Township, hosted its annual Christmas Open House on Nov. 29, when donations were accepted and tickets to Broadway shows and sporting events were raffled to benefit the MikeyStrong23 foundation.
“We are still getting checks pretty much every day,” co-owner Peter Gasko said of the ongoing support.
The winter festival, which was paid for by the Gasko family, is an event held every year to show gratitude to customers, he said.
This year, the Gasko daughters, Tina and Kirsten, wanted to promote the event as a way to support Nichols, who was paralyzed from the chest down when he sustained a fracture to the C5 vertebra in his neck during a game against Vernon High School.
Nichols, an 18-year-old senior at Monroe Township High School, played in 69 varsity hockey games during his career as a four-year letter winner, with nine goals and 19 assists.
Following his injury, he was airlifted to Morristown Medical Center, where he received surgery for the fractured vertebra.
Several weeks later, he was transferred to Kessler Rehabilitation Center, West Orange. He was able to return home during the summer.
Nichols attended the Nov. 29 event for the first hour with his parents, brother, youngest sister and girlfriend, according to Michelle Ross of the MikeyStrong23 foundation.
“Sue [Gasko] visited the Nichols family at their home [on Nov. 30] and presented them with the funds raised as well as a very generous donation from her family,” Ross said. “The Nichols family was overwhelmed with the generosity of all …”
Peter Gasko said his teenage daughters were very encouraged by the turnout at the open house and the success of the fundraiser.
The total donations raised thus far, with more still rolling in, easily eclipsed the $10,000 goal the Gaskos had hoped for. One hundred percent of the proceeds went to the foundation.
Peter Gasko said the generosity of the community in rallying around Nichols is commendable and he extended his family’s gratitude to all who contributed.
“A big thank you from the Gasko family to everybody — both for supporting our farm and Mikey that night,” he said.